April 2014



A Note from Cristin,

 Welcome to our first Newsletter! We are excited to share our program highlights, opportunities to support and participate in activities and events, volunteer and teen-member profiles. The Sonoma Chamber of Commerce recently told us that we are the largest employer of teens in the valley! As Board President, Marguerite LaDue likes to say, "Teen Services is kicking it up a notch" and we want you in on the action. We have been Sonoma's "hidden gem" for too long. 


And last, but certainly not least, we continue to formalize and enhance our Skills for Life Program, providing ongoing Supportive Employment as well as a paid Summer Internship Program, which we are kicking off this summer. We are currently in week five of our six-week Skills for Life workshop series for teens: Employment 101, Resume and Cover Letter Writing, Mock Interview Practice, Attitude and Communication in the Workplace, Dress for Success and Financial Literacy.
Our teens come to your businesses prepared for success but with the added benefit of SVTS's ongoing Employment Placement & Support Services helping to assure a win-win experience for both teen and employer. If you are a business owner we will most likely be contacting you before June to discuss the many benefits that the Skills for Life Program offer to you and your business. We believe all teens are "at potential" and we love the work of connecting teens with avenues to explore and exhibit this potential.

Sonoma Teen Services is delighted to have Ilene Briggin lending her talents to bring you this first edition of our new quarterly newsletter. We welcome your feedback and thank you for your support. 


Cristin's signature

Cristin Lawrence
Executive Director
Sonoma Valley Teen Services
Cowboy Cab 2014




Yeehaw!


It's time to dust off your boots, chaps and cowboy hats and get ready for Sonoma Valley Teen Services' fun-filled, country casual

Cowboy Cab benefit. 

 

Down-Home-Stick to Your Ribs Cowboy grub will be served, with beverages a-plenty and will include boot stompin'music by our very own

Western Swing Hall of Fame recipient Tommy Thomsen.

 

When: Saturday, June 7th from 6-10pm 

 

Where: Sonoma Barracks, 36 East Spain Street, Sonoma, CA 95476 

 

 

REGISTER 

 

 

Barb Lemme--Our Volunteer of the Year!

We are proud to award the Annie Falandes Volunteer of the Year Award to Barb Lemme. 

Barb has been a volunteer for two years, monitoring and assisting the teen employees at the No Name Caf� at the High School from 7-8am. Since 2012, Barb has worked closely with eight different teens. Barb's quiet presence, confidence-building skills and easy flexibility, enable the teens to understand and prepare the expectations
of their first job and to build their resumes for the future.
Thank you, Barb, for loving our kids.  You bring out the best in them."


 

No Name Cafe

The No Name Caf� located at Sonoma High School is seeking volunteer chaperones. Bring a book or a deck of cards and spend some time with the teens who work in the No Name Caf�.

Volunteers needed:
Adults are needed Mondays and/or Fridays
2:30 - 4:30 through May, to simply keep an eye on things and to keep the teens safe while they clean and close up the caf�. It's an easy way to make a big difference for SVTS.
Volunteer--it's a rewarding experience!


Heather Espinoza, 18 (left)
and
Zulema Perez, 17
love working at the No Name!

 

Lovin' Oven

We are stepping into the limelight and taking Sonoma's teens with us! 

The Lovin' Oven is expanding its activities, offering "White Glove Event Services" for local public and private parties. We are also planting and harvesting vegetables from the Teen Center garden to use in the development of new, healthy recipes for sale at the No Name Caf�, our Teen Center location and at other local outlets.

Last Thanksgiving, we sold 165 pies, made from scratch to the community and our chocolate cookies are now for sale at the Barking Dog. Through these expanded activities we are providing twelve paid summer internships for teens working in the garden and kitchen as our "Wellness Ambassadors" and another (at least) fifteen teens will have paid work opportunities through Event Services.


 
Amazon Smile Program
Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of your eligible AMAZONSMILE purchases to Sonoma Valley Teen Services whenever you shop on AmazonSmile.





Operation Bicycle

Adrian Palenchar, Program Manager of Operation Bicycle, has informed us of the new hours:
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 3:30 to 7:30pm.

The teens are also going to be running a bicycle valet/repair stand at the Tuesday Night Farmer's Market every week starting May 6th. "We've been taking lots of great bike rides out of the teen center on weekdays," Adrian told us. Teen are welcome to join us, membership is free.

For more information about Operation Bicycle, check out their website: operationbicyle.com

We'd like to take this opportunity to thank Bread for Journey for their recent donation of $1,000 to Operation Bicycle.   


Courtney Bristow--Struts Her Stuff!

Courtney Bristow wowed the crowd at The Sonoma Community Center's 4th Annual Trashion Fashion Show on March 22nd. With help from Annie Falades and SVTS' Art Wednesday Program, Courtney designed and modeled her "Only a Paper Queen and her King" dress, which she made for her senior project.

The dress was constructed from Christmas wrappings, newspapers and playing cards. Her crown was made of salvaged silverware.

Standing by Courtney's side was her "King of Hearts,"
Forest O'Brian wearing a royal suit made from leftover ends of roofing paper in an origami design. The submission was Courtney's senior project.

HELP US CONTINUE OUR WORK
  • Include us in your estate planning, make a donation of stock or real estate
  • donate by check
  • click on the donate button below to make a contribution by pay pal or credit card today! (After clicking, please be sure to specify which program, i.e., "Skills for Life," you would like to support.) 

DONATE  

 

Sonoma Valley Teen Services is funded through private donations, special events and grants, we do not receive state or federal funding and we are so grateful to the community for supporting the work we do on behave of Sonoma Valley Teens!

 

Thank you for your continued support! 

 

 

 

 

 

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SONOMA VALLEY TEEN SERVICES
1
7440 Sonoma Highway

Sonoma, CA 95476